Sarus taken away from human friend reaches Kanpur zoo, quarantined

Kanpur The sarus -- which was taken away by the forest department from a man in Amethi who rescued it and was taking care of it for a year -- reached the Kanpur zoo on Saturday

Published on: Mar 25, 2023, 22:26:53 IST

By Haidar Naqvi

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Kanpur The sarus -- which was taken away by the forest department from a man in Amethi who rescued it and was taking care of it for a year -- reached the Kanpur zoo on Saturday. The bird, which shot into the limelight due to its unique camaraderie with a 30-year-old local named Arif Khan Gurjar, has now been quarantined for 15 days, said senior officials.

The sarus is one of the tallest of all flying birds growing up to a height of six feet. (HT Photo)

KK Singh, principal conservator of forest, confirmed the development saying the sarus was brought by a team of Lucknow zoo under strict medical supervision. “The bird has been quarantined for 15 days. A team of doctors are keeping a close watch and have started its treatment,’’ he added.

Meanwhile, another forest official, on condition of anonymity, said that the sarus should have been given the opportunity to mate and the decision to isolate it may not be the best course of action.

The bird had gone missing from the Samaspur Bird Sanctuary in Rae Bareli on Wednesday evening, a day after it was brought by forest officials from Mandkha village in Amethi, where it was being looked after by Arif.

Taking cognisance of the episode, Samajwadi Party president Akhilesh Yadav slammed the government for taking the bird away from Arif and accused the forest staff of laxity after the bird went missing.

For the unversed, the sarus is one of the tallest of all flying birds growing up to a height of six feet. It is the state bird of Uttar Pradesh. According to the Wildlife Act, it is illegal for individuals to keep sarus.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Haidar Naqvi
Haidar Naqvi is an Assistant Editor with the Hindustan Times in Kanpur and has been with the newspaper since May 1997, after beginning his journalism career with The Times of India. Over more than three decades, he has reported on terrorism, internal security, politics, governance and public affairs, with a particular focus on the changing nature of extremist movements in India.From 2008 to 2011, Haidar was part of the Hindustan Times National Reporting Team, contributing to coverage of some of the country's most significant security stories. He was among the reporters who covered the 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks as they unfolded and continued reporting on the investigation that exposed the conspiracy behind them.His reporting has followed the rise and evolution of the Students Islamic Movement of India (SIMI), the Indian Mujahideen and India's counter-terrorism response, alongside extensive coverage of organised crime and the underworld. He has also reported on Indian Mujahideen serial blasts, the Maoist insurgency, communal riots, parliamentary and assembly elections, and major political developments. Over the years, he has interviewed political leaders, senior police officers, intelligence officials and policymakers, while reporting from communities affected by violence, conflict and public policy.Beyond national security, Haidar has covered politics, minority affairs, governance, wildlife and human-interest stories across Central Uttar Pradesh and Bundelkhand. A recipient of the coveted Hindustan Times' Star Award, he brings historical perspective, field experience and institutional knowledge to reporting on the intersection of security, governance and society.Read More